Pet step and method

ABSTRACT

A pet step is a modular foam core item which can be used alone or in an arrangement with other pet steps—referred to as cubes—to form a stair and offers a comfortable way for a pet that has been debilitated by age, surgery, illness, or injury to climb, e.g., from the floor to the couch and down, eliminating the impact of jumping. Each step is formed of a washable fabric cover stretched across a high-density foam core, the core being usually of regular block shape, but alternatively in the shape of a trapezoidal block, right wedge, or other. The cover may be made from various fabrics with different textures, colors, and designs, and is secured around the foam core using a band of elastic. Thus, the cover is easily removable and washable. The pet steps are intended to be used in a stair, formed by placing the steps adjacent one another with the elasticized opening of the cover on the bottom sides of the steps and mating and engaging the optional fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, which are mounted between the adjacent step surfaces.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.provisional application Serial No. 60/419,340, filed on Oct. 18, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains generally to pet care accessories andmore specifically to steps for dogs which can be arranged in the form ofa stair.

BACKGROUND OF THE FIELD

[0003] Many people who value their pets are very concerned about thepets' comfort and well-being. So, when pets get old, develop bone andjoint diseases, or are otherwise disabled, their owners want to helpthem get around the house and be independent. The problem becomesespecially obvious in the case of small dogs that are recovering fromsurgery and cannot jump from the floor to the bed or sofa.

[0004] There have been attempts in the past to invent devices to aidpets in climbing to different elevations. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No.6,155,207 to LaRocca, there is disclosed a system for assemblingportable steps into a stair for small pets. However, LaRocca's devicedoes not anticipate injured or disabled pets and is constructed of hard,rigid materials that will not “give” when a pet steps on them. Also,LaRocca's stair system uses many small parts requiring relativelyintensive assembly and therefore does not have the flexibility andversatility of the present invention.

[0005] Karsten in U.S. Pat. No. D383,261 and Forester in U.S. Pat. No.D429,038 both disclose pet stairs. However, these two designs are simplythe rigid, immovable two-step design such as is common in kitchen orother step stools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems byproviding a pet step that can be arranged with other such pet steps,referred to as “cubes” regardless of shape, into a stair for aiding apet to safely and comfortably climb from one elevation to another, e.g.,from the floor to the bed or sofa. When the pet steps are so arrangedinto a stair, the resulting article of furniture can be an attractiveaddition to a home's living space as well as an aid to the pets of thehome.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention comprises a foam core with anelasticized fabric cover. The core is made from high-density foam thatis rigid and resilient enough to keep its three-dimensional shape andsupport a pet's weight, but soft enough to deform, or “give,” when thepet steps on it. In this way, the pet step provides a safe, comfortablestair surface that will accommodate the pet's unique condition.

[0008] The fabric cover of the preferred embodiment has been chosen fordurability and usefulness and is typically made from a single fabricsheet. Although the particular fabric used can be of different colorsand designs and can even be of several sheets fastened together (insteadof one continuous sheet), it is important that the cover fit snuglyaround all but one side of the foam core, and that the cover fabric havea relatively high coefficient of friction. When the appropriate seamsare applied to the fabric sheet to induce conformance with the shape ofthe particular core, the fabric is gathered, and a “bag” shape results,the opening of which is sized to fit within the edges of the bottom sideof the particular foam core, when elasticized. In the preferredembodiment, the elasticized opening of the cover is sized to fit on thesixth (bottom) side of a regular six-sided block such that there areapproximately 2 inches of fabric between each edge and the elastic band.

[0009] By using a high-density foam material with a relatively highcoefficient of friction, and having a substantial amount of the foamsurface exposed on the sixth (bottom) side of the foam core block, thereis enough friction to restrain the cube from sliding laterally whenplaced on another cube or a carpeted floor. In this way, a cube can beused singly wherever necessary. (Also, in this way, the cover is easilyremovable for changing or cleaning. The fabric and elastic materialsallow that the cover is machine washable.) However, the invention isintended to be used mainly when several cubes are stacked and arrangedinto a stair. To enhance the stability of the stair, a unique fasteningsystem has been invented whereby each cover (depending on the particularcore to which it applies) is supplied with a plurality of fasteners,e.g., hook-and-loop, such fasteners being strategically mounted, intheir hook and loop counterparts, to specific locations on the covers.

[0010] In alternate embodiments, the foam core takes the shape of aright wedge or a six-sided trapezoidal block. The wedge shape, whencovered with the fabric cover, functions as a ramp cube and can becombined with one or more regular block cubes to form a stair with aramp in a ramped configuration. The trapezoidal block, when covered withthe fabric cover, functions as a ramp extension cube and can be used inconcert with the wedge cube and the regular block cubes to form a higherramp in a ramped configuration.

[0011] This modular design allows that the pet steps can be arranged ina wide variety of configurations, including configurations that will fitinto large or small spaces, such as motor homes, and accommodate varyingdifferences between elevations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pet steps of the invention asthey are intended to be arranged into a 3-cube stair;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pet steps of the invention asthey are intended to be arranged into a 6-cube stair;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pet steps of the invention asthey are intended to be arranged into a 4-cube stair;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a detail view of the bottom side of a single pet cube;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a detail view of the cover;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective partly-exploded view of an alternateembodiment of the pet steps of the invention as they are intended to bearranged into a large ramp stair; and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the petsteps of the invention as they are intended to be arranged into a smallramp stair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a stair 10 comprising several of the pet steps(cubes) 12. In this preferred arrangement, the cubes 12 are arranged toform a stair 10 of three cubes made of regular six-sided blocks. Thisarrangement is typical and exemplary only and is not intended to be theonly possible arrangement of the steps 12. For instance, a cube 12 couldbe used alone, or the cubes 12 could be arranged into a stair 10 withmore steps or into one that is wider, such as the alternate embodimentstairs in FIG. 2 (6-cube stair 40) and FIG. 3 (4-cube stair 50).

[0020] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the cubes 12 arefastened together with hook-and-loop fasteners 14 (see FIG. 1), such asVELCRO™, which are mounted on the cubes 12 in a systematic, strategicfashion. The hook portion 14 a and the loop portion 14 b are mounted incorresponding locations on the covers of adjacent cubes 12 so that theywill mate, engage, and fasten upon assembly of the stairs 10. (Typicalseparate portions 14 a and 14 b are shown best in the exploded view ofFIG. 6, and the fasteners 14 are shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and3.)

[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 4, each cube 12 comprises a foam core 16and a cover 18. In the preferred embodiment, the foam core 16 is in theshape of a regular six-sided block—with a top, a bottom, four sides, andfour corners—because the block shape lends itself well to the stairdesign and to the illustrations; however, any appropriate shape could beused to practice the invention. (For instance, two different shapes, atrapezoidal block and a wedge, are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.) Referringstill to FIG. 4, the cover 18 is gathered into four seams 20 at thecorners 22 and elasticized at the opening 24 so that it fits snuglyaround the core 16. (In the preferred embodiment of the six-sided cube,the four seams 20 are spaced evenly around the opening 24 and extendroughly perpendicularly from the elastic band 26 so that they cancorrespond with the corners 22.) The elastic band 26 is affixed allalong the opening 24 so that the band 26 fits within the four edges 28of one side of the foam block core 16, referred to as the bottom side.

[0022] It is important that the cover 18 fit snugly around the core 16so that the band 26 is fully within the edges 28 so as to achieve theappropriate proportion between covered area and uncovered area on thebottom side of the core 16. The appropriate proportion allows that thecover 18 will stay snug around the core 16, but that the exposed area ofthe bottom side of the core 16 will maintain friction between the bottomside of the core 16 and the surface on which it is placed. In manyinstances, such surface will be a carpeted floor or the cover of anunderlying cube 12. For this reason, in the preferred embodiment, theappropriate proportion has been determined to be approximately ⅓.

[0023] The “bag” shape of the cover 18, shown in FIG. 5, is created bythe arrangement of the seams 20, and the bag must have an opening 24large enough so that the cover 18 can be easily installed on and removedfrom the foam block core 16 for changing and cleaning. Once the user hasapplied the cover 18 to the core 16, the user stacks the cubes 12 asnecessary to arrange the stair 10 with the elastic band 26 on the bottomside of each cube 12.

[0024] Once assembled, the cubes 12 will be held in place at least bythe friction between the bottom side of the core 16 and the underlyingsurface. However, as an option, the cubes 12 may also be held togetherby additional fasteners such as the hook-and-loop fasteners 14, to beapplied in appropriate places between the cubes 12. If the hook portion14 a or loop portion 14 b is to be located on a top or bottom, it isgenerally located proximate a corner. If the portion 14 a or 14 b is tobe located on a side, it is generally located proximate an edge. (SeeFIG. 6.) In FIGS. 4 and 5, the hook portions 14 a are attached to theelastic band 26 so as to co-locate with the corners of the cube 12. Thismodular design and the ease of assembly give the stairs versatility andallow that the stairs may be built up, broken down, and reappliedquickly and easily.

[0025] The alternate embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 show how a short rampcube 32 and a long ramp cube 34 may be used in the design of the stairs30 and 36 respectively. Although the cores will have different shapesthan a regular six-sided block, each shape still defines a “bottom,” andthe invention remains the same. The covers for these cores still open ina “bag”-like shape and fit onto the cores with the elasticized openingwithin the edges of the bottom side.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pet step comprising: a high-density foam coreof a three-dimensional shape, said high-density foam having a relativelyhigh coefficient of friction, and said core defining a bottom, a coverremovably mounted to said core, said cover being constructed from afabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction and having aplurality of seams arranged therein so as to define a bag shape with anopening therein, an elastic band mounted to the cover at said opening,said cover being fitted around said core such that the band locatesentirely within the bottom of the core, and a plurality of fastenersstrategically mounted to the fabric cover.
 2. The pet step of claim 1wherein the foam core is in the shape of a regular six-sided blockdefining a top, a bottom, four sides, and four corners, said bottomdefining four edges, and the cover is mounted on said core such that theopening of the cover locates on the bottom of the core and the elasticband locates within and proximate to the edges of said bottom.
 3. Thepet step of claim 2 wherein the elastic band locates roughly 2 incheswithin the edges of said bottom.
 4. The pet step of claim 1 wherein thefoam core is in the shape of a regular six-sided block with fourcorners, and the cover includes four seams spaced evenly around saidopening and extending roughly perpendicularly therefrom such that whenthe cover is fitted onto the core, the seams correspond to the cornersof the block.
 5. The pet step of claim 1 wherein the foam core is in theshape of a regular six-sided block with a top, a bottom, four sides, andfour corners, said bottom defining four edges and the cover is mountedon said core such that the opening of the cover locates on the bottom ofthe core and the elastic band locates within and proximate to the edgesof said bottom and the seams correspond to the corners of the block. 6.The pet step of claim 5 wherein said fasteners comprise hook-and-loopfasteners and are strategically mounted on the cover.
 7. The pet step ofclaim 5 wherein said fasteners are mounted on the elastic band.
 8. Thepet step of claim 1 wherein the foam core is in the shape of a regularright wedge defining a bottom.
 9. The pet step of claim 1 wherein thefoam core is in the shape of a six-sided trapezoidal block defining abottom.
 10. An article of furniture for pets comprising: a first petstep comprising a high-density foam core of three-dimensional shape,said high-density foam having a relatively high coefficient of friction,and defining a bottom, a cover removably mounted to said core, saidcover being constructed from a fabric having a relatively highcoefficient of friction and having a plurality of seams arranged thereinso as to define a bag shape with an opening therein, an elastic bandmounted to the cover at said opening, said cover being fitted aroundsaid core such that the band locates entirely within the bottom of thecore, and a plurality of fasteners mounted to the cover, a second petstep comprising a high-density foam core of three-dimensional shape,said high-density foam having a relatively high coefficient of friction,and defining a bottom, a cover removably mounted to said core, saidcover being constructed from a fabric having a relatively highcoefficient of friction and having a plurality of seams arranged thereinso as to define a bag shape with an opening therein, an elastic bandmounted to the cover at said opening, said cover being fitted aroundsaid core such that the band locates entirely within the bottom of thecore, and a plurality of fasteners mounted to the cover, and said secondpet step being removably mounted to the first pet step such that thebottom of the second step is adjacent the cover of the first step andthe fasteners are engaged.
 11. The article of furniture of claim 10wherein the fasteners comprise hook-and-loop fasteners.
 12. The articleof furniture of claim 11 wherein each hook-and-loop fastener comprises ahook portion and a loop portion and the hook portion is mounted to thecover of the first block and the loop portion is mounted to the cover ofthe second block such that the portions will mate upon assembly.
 13. Thearticle of furniture of claim 12 further comprising a third pet step,such third pet step comprising a high-density foam core ofthree-dimensional shape, said high-density foam having a relatively highcoefficient of friction, and defining a bottom, a cover removablymounted to said core, said cover being constructed from a fabric havinga relatively high coefficient of friction and having a plurality ofseams arranged therein so as to define a bag shape with an openingtherein, an elastic band mounted to the cover at said opening, saidcover being fitted around said core such that the band locates entirelywithin the bottom of the core, and a plurality of fasteners mounted tothe cover, and the steps being removably mounted adjacent each other andarranged into a stair such that the hook-and-loop fasteners are matedand engaged.
 14. A method for constructing a pet stair from a pluralityof pet steps, each such step comprising a high-density foam core ofthree-dimensional shape, said high-density foam having a relatively highcoefficient of friction, and each core defining a bottom, a coverremovably mounted to said core, said cover being constructed from afabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction and having aplurality of seams arranged therein so as to define a bag shape with anopening therein, and an elastic band mounted to the cover at saidopening, said cover being fitted around said core such that the bandlocates entirely within the bottom of the core, comprising the steps of:assembling the individual pet steps to be used by fitting the covers onthe cores so that the seams generally locate on the corners of the coresand the bands locate entirely within the bottoms of the cores, andarranging the pet steps adjacent each other in a stair configuration asdesirable so that the bottom of at least one step is adjacent the coverof at least one step.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the stepsfurther comprise hook-and-loop fasteners mounted on the covers, eachfastener having a hook portion and a loop portion, and the methodfurther comprising the step of: fastening the pet steps to each other bysecuring the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener to thecorresponding loop portion of a mating hook-and-loop fastener, therebyengaging the fasteners.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the foamcores are of regular six-sided block shape and the steps are arranged ina three-step stair.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the foam coresare of regular six-sided block shape and the steps are arranged in afour-step stair.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the foam cores areof regular six-sided block shape and the steps are arranged in asix-step stair.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein at least one of thesteps is in the shape of a right wedge and the steps are arranged in aramped configuration.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein at least one ofthe steps is in the shape of a trapezoidal block and the steps arearranged in a ramped configuration.